City budget comes with 3.9% tax increase for most homes
Draft 2025 spending plan assumes $36M from higher levels of government
Arthur White-Crummey ยท CBC News
Posted: Nov 13, 2024 10:37 AM EST | Last Updated: 1 hour ago
Ottawa city staff have drawn up a budget that would hike taxes and transit fares to patch over a gaping transit deficit.
Even then, it only balances by assuming the federal or provincial governments will come to the rescue with millions more.
If council passes the draft budget, property taxes would go up by 2.9 per cent to fund most city services, though an eight per cent hike to the transit levy means most taxpayers will effectively pay 3.9 per cent.
That's just a fraction of the $120 million the city needs to come up with for its beleaguered transit system. Fares will go up roughtly five per cent, increasing the cost of a typical adult ride from $3.80 to $4.00 and the price of an monthly adult pass from $128.75 to $135.
The city will also reduce fare discounts that currently benefit seniors, youths and others.
Mayor Mark Sutcliffe said there will be no service reductions, though there will be capital deferrals and millions in "efficiencies." He repeatedly said that the budget strikes a balance amid challenges that make it impossible to satisfy everyone.
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https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/ottawa-city-draft-budget-2025-1.7382126